The Effect of Swiss Ball Training on the Improvement of Sensorimotor Function of Three Boys with Autism: A Case Study

Abstract

The main aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Swiss ball training on the improvement of sensorimotor function in three boys with autism. In the present study, a single-subject method was used. Three autistic participants were required to exercise with Swiss ball for 9 weeks. Changes in the scores of the sensorimotor function subtest were measured by NEPSY neuropsychological test during the intervention and two weeks after the intervention in one-week intervals. The subjects took the test again after two months. The results showed that the intervention considerably improved sensorimotor function of the three participants (PND=100% for the first participant and 77.78% for the second and the third participants). This reduction was found to be maintained two weeks after the intervention. These findings showed that Swiss ball training considerably improved sensorimotor function in boys with autism.

Keywords

• autism
• children
• sensorimotor function
• swiss ball
• training